Keysight Technologies

Implementing a Flexible Testbed

for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis
White Paper

Greg Jue, Keysight Technologies

Sangkyo Shin, Keysight Technologies

Abstract
A challenge of todays 5G research is the many waveforms,
frequencies, and bandwidths being investigated. This includes
waveforms at frequencies below 6 GHz, as well as waveforms at
microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. In addition, some of
the waveforms may involve wide bandwidths. These introduce new
test challenges for 5G signal generation and analysis--flexibility is
key for todays 5G research. This whitepaper will discuss some of
the candidate waveforms, and then introduce a new flexible testbed
for 5G waveform generation and analysis. This testbed combines
software solutions with test equipment to investigate and to perform
what-if scenarios for new emerging 5G waveform applications.
Co-existence scenarios between candidate 5G and 4G waveforms
will be investigated. Wideband signal generation and analysis case
studies will be shown at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies
with modulation bandwidths up to 2 GHz.
02 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Introduction
Even as fourth-generation cellular systemsLTE and LTE-Advancedare being deployed,
research has begun on fifth-generation or 5G systems. 5G mobile networks offer a vision
of everything everywhere and always connected.

Key attributes may include a dense, highly integrated network comprised of small
cells supporting data rates on the order of 10 Gbps with roundtrip latency of 1 ms or
less. Most studies assume multiple air interfaces, which will operate at microwave and
millimeter frequencies. The use of high-order spatial multiplexing techniques such as
MIMO will enhance capacity.

The combined network will be able to support everything from simple machine-to-
machine (M2M) devices to immersive virtual-reality streaming. It will be capable of
monitoring and controlling potentially billions of sensors and multiple simultaneous
streaming services, and will support the massive data collection and distribution needs
of the Internet of Things (IoT). In this environment, wireless data traffic is projected to
increase 5000x by 2030.1

Making the leap from astonishing predictions to practical implementation starts with the
creation, generation and analysis of prototype signals. Because 5G research is starting
so early, the standardization process has not yet begun. Physical-layer waveforms have
not been defined and, because there is no consensus on potential waveforms, several
candidates are in the running: filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), generalized frequency-
division multiplexing (GFDM), universal filtered multi-carrier (UFMC), filtered orthogonal
frequency-division multiplexing (F-OFDM), and many more.

Thats one reason why flexibility is paramount: it enables what if? analyses to be
performed in the evaluation of early concepts and potential 5G waveforms that may
use a variety of modulation schemes at many different frequencies and modulation
bandwidths. For developers, the risk of choosing the wrong path further reinforces the
need for flexibility, especially in the form of signal-creation and signal-analysis tools that
enable rapid changes in direction as strong candidates emerge in the evolution of 5G.

This whitepaper describes a flexible 5G testbed that includes proven, off-the-shelf

software and hardware. For signal development, the key software elements are
SystemVue for simulation, what-if analysis and algorithm development, and Signal
Studio for signal creation for early R&D testing. The hardware generation of test signals
relies on the M8190A arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) to produce signals that drive
the wideband I/Q modulation inputs of an E8267D PSG vector signal generator. Signal
demodulation and analysis is performed with the 89600 VSA software, an X-Series
signal analyzer and a wideband Infiniium oscilloscope.

1. IWPC Whitepaper: Evolutionary & Disruptive Visions Towards Ultra High Capacity Network, available at www.iwpc.org
03 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Examining the Challenges in Design and Test

5G presents a myriad of new challenges in R&D. Some of the key discussions fall into a
set of six technology characteristics2:

1000X higher mobile data volume per geographical area

10 to 100X more connected devices
10 to 100X higher typical user data rate
10X lower energy consumption
End-to-end latency of < 1 ms
Ubiquitous 5G access including in low density areas

Past generations of mobile technologies have typically been driven by incremental

enhancements. Today, its difficult to conceive of a new technology that can meet all six of
the characteristics listed above. It seems more likely that research will take a divide-and-
conquer approach to address some of the characteristics illustrated in Figure 1.

5G enabling devices >> research challenges

Advanced signal processing
- Multiple MIMO modes and Hybrid Beamforming
- Network interference suppression
New waveforms - Adaptive channel estimation / equalization
- Legacy OFDM enhancement
- FBMC, UFMC, GFDM
Full duplex communications
1000X higher mobile data volume per - Self interference cancellation
- Dual polarization antenna
geographical area - Real time operation
10 to 100X more connected devices
Amplifier
10 to 100X higher typical user data rate
- Envelope tracking
- Digital predistortion 10X lower energy consumption
Multi-antenna
- Wide, multi-bands End-to-end latency of < 1 ms
- Impedance matching
Ubiquitous 5G access including in - Mutual coupling
low density areas - Multi-band, multi-RAT port sharing
Multiple Access - FD / Massive MIMO
- Non-orthogonal multiple
access(NOMA,SCMA)
- Random / scheduled /
hybrid Multi-band
- Traditional cellular bands <6GHz
Multiple radio technologies - WiFi, BT, GNSS bands
- GSM/EDGE/W-CDMA/HSPA/LTE - 5G mmWave bands
- WiFi/BT/WiGig/GNSS/5G

Figure 1. A variety of enabling technologies, devices and methods will be needed to achieve the six technical
characteristics currently envisioned for 5G2.

Working around the diagram, new waveforms may be capable of supporting a greater
density of users, higher data throughput and more efficient utilization of allocated
spectrum. These waveforms may require advanced signal processing as well as adaptive
channel estimation and equalization for robustness and improved immunity from
interference.

Full-duplex communications may be used to improve spectral efficiency. Minimization of

self-interference will contribute to better receiver sensitivity.

2. The 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership, details available at www.5g-ppp.eu/kpis/

04 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Multi-antenna technologies such as MIMO may be needed to support high data

throughput, and advanced techniques such as massive MIMO and adaptive beamforming
are also being investigated. Both of these, MIMO and adaptive beamforming, may require
sophisticated algorithms.

It may be necessary to support multiple frequency bands with new and legacy radio
access technologies (RAT), including 5G millimeter-wave frequency band extensions for
high data throughput applications. Multiple access modes may be required, including
non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and random, scheduled and hybrid modes.

Finally, new waveforms, multiple frequency bands, wide bandwidths and higher-order
modulation may present new challenges for power amplifier (PA) designs and may
require new PA digital pre-distortion (DPD) techniques.

Coping with this array of challenges will benefit from a paradigm shift in design
verification and testing during the early stages of research and development.

Exploring the Candidate Waveforms

The pursuit of higher data throughput is a constant in the evolution of wireless
standards. In 5G, this points toward the use of multi-carrier waveforms, microwave
frequencies, millimeter-wave frequencies and wider modulation bandwidths. Some of the
desired characteristics include the following:

Flexible and scalable

Optimized multiple access
Efficient usage of the allocated spectrum
Robustness to narrowband jammers and impulse noise
Low latency
Simultaneous operation of synchronous and asynchronous traffic
High spectral and temporal fragmentation
Coexistence with legacy OFDM waveforms

Figure 2 provides a visual overview of the waveforms currently under consideration.

Several of these are worth a closer look.

Advanced multi-carrier waveforms1

Waveforms OFDM FBMC / OFDM / Others Single carrier

Bandwidths/
frequencies
Wider bandwidths, higher frequencies

Note 1:
- Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
New RATs - Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC)
OFDMA - Universal Filtered Multicarrier (UFMC)
NOMA SCMA - Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM)
- Frequency Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (FQAM)

Figure 2. The candidate waveforms for 5G cover a wide range of possible approaches.
05 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Candidate: OFDM
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is currently used in 4G and, for
that reason and more, is under consideration for 5G through the use of filtered OFDM
(F-OFDM). F-OFDM offers good spectral efficiency and resistance to multipath
interference. Its subcarrier nulls correspond to the peaks of adjacent subcarriers,
ensuring zero inter-carrier interference (Figure 3).

Figure 3. OFDM offers benefits such as spectral efficiency, resistance to multipath and
zero inter-carrier interference.

Candidate: FBMC
To provide improved out-of-band spectrum characteristics, FBMC applies filtering on a
per-subcarrier basis. Its flexible approach to baseband filtering, using either a polyphase
network or an extended IFFT, is shown in Figure 4.

Synthesis filter bank Analysis filter bank

post processing
preprocessing

de-mapping

de-mapping
Sub-carrier

Sub-carrier
Poly phase

Poly phase
mapping

mapping

network

network
Symbol

Symbol
OQAM
OQAM

IFFT

FFT
S/P
P/S

Figure 4. The filter banks in FBMC can apply filtering on a per-subcarrier basis.

Filtering can use different overlap factors (i.e., K factor) to provide varying levels of out-
of-band rejection. In Figure 5, the red, blue and green traces show FMBC spectra with K
factors of 4, 3 and 2, respectively. As K factor is reduced, the out-of-band characteristics
have a spectrum-rejection profile similar to that of OFDM.

Figure 5. Changing the overlap factor (K) changes the out-of-band rejection profile of FBMC.
06 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Candidate: UFMC
This scheme applies filtering on a per-sub-band basis (Figure 6), and one possible benefit
of UFMC is reduced complexity of the baseband algorithms. Figure 7 shows an example
UFMC spectrum that was simulated using SystemVue.

OFDM

per full-band

FBMC /
GFDM
per sub-carrier

UFMC

per sub-band

Figure 6. OFDM, FBMC and UFMC use strikingly different filtering methods.

Figure 7. Created with SystemVue, this simulation of UFMC shows five multiplexed bands.

Candidate: GFDM
This is another type of multi-carrier system, and it digitally implements the classic
filter-band approach. The GFDM signal is based on a block structure of KM total data
symbols (dk,m) from a specific constellation mapping. One cyclic prefix (CP) insertion for
M symbols is used to allow for better spectral efficiency and less complex equalization at
the receiver.
07 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Comparing OFDM and FBMC

Two notable drawbacks of OFDM are a loss in spectral efficiency due to cyclic prefix
insertion and the presence of significant out-of-band emissions. In comparison, FBMC
may offer advantages in efficient usage of allocated spectrum as well as the ability to
create or occupy spectral holes for spectrum-sensing applications.

This can be illustrated using SystemVue with its 5G Baseband Exploration Library. Figure 8
shows simulations of OFDM (orange trace) and FBMC (blue, green and black) spectra. The
FBMC spectra have different overlap factors, ranging from 2 (blue) to 4 (black), and the
improvement in out-of-band spectrum power of FBMC relative to OFDM (orange) is clear.

Figure 8. Using greater overlap in FBMC provides improved out-of-band power compared to OFDM.
08 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Assembling the Proposed Testbed

As developers experiment with those waveforms and more, a highly flexible testbed will enable them
to evaluate proposed waveforms with prototype algorithms and hardware. It will also make it possible
to quickly and easily transition between what-if scenarios in simulation and actual testing of the
prototype algorithms and hardware.

More specifically, flexibility is needed in three key areas of 5G research and early testing:

Generating and analyzing new waveforms

Supporting a wide range of modulation bandwidths, from several megahertz to a few gigahertz
Supporting a wide range of frequency bands, from RF to microwave to millimeter-wave

The proposed testbed provides this flexibility through its software and hardware elements. Software
is used to create 5G and custom waveforms and also analyze those waveforms. Combining the signal-
creation software with two pieces of hardwarea precision AWG and a vector signal generator with
wideband I/Q inputsenables generation of wideband test signals with up to 2 GHz of modulation
bandwidth at frequencies up to 44 GHz (and higher with upconverters). For signal demodulation and
analysis, VSA software can be used inside the simulation software and can run on a signal analyzer,
an oscilloscope or a PC controlling a variety of instruments or digitizers. Figure 9 shows a conceptual
arrangement of the software and hardware elements.

Hardware
Signal Generator
Software M8190A E8267D
Arb Waveform Generator PSG Signal Generator
Design Simulation Signal Generation 5G Waveform

Device
TX RX
Under Test
Signal Analysis

Signal Analyzers
DSOS804A Infiniium
N9040B S-Series Oscilloscope
N9030B UXA Signal Analyzer
PXA Signal Analyzer

Common
Demodulation/Analysis

Figure 9. Hardware plus software plus a skilled developer leads to new insights in 5G.
09 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Assembling the Proposed Testbed (continued)

Figure 10 shows the proposed combination of software and hardware elements from Keysight.

N7608B signal studio for

custom modulation software

VDI E-band
upconverter, M1971E E-band N5183B MXG
amplifier, filter harmonic mixer microwave analog
signal generator

M8190A AWG with SystemVue
W1907BP 5G forward
verification bundle installed
on embedded controller
44 GHz E8267D PSG
vector signal generator
with wideband IQ inputs
50 GHz N9040B UXA S-Series Infiniium
signal analyzer oscilloscope with 89600
VSA software
*Note: different test equipment configurations may
be used dependent on frequencies and bandwidth

Figure 10. This combination of instrumentation and hardware provides a tremendous amount of flexibility in the
exploration of possible 5G technologies.

The software elements

Within the testbed hardware, the M8190A AWG is installed in an AXIe chassis that also contains
an embedded controller. Two software elements run on that controller: SystemVue with the
W1907BP 5G Forward Verification Bundle and N7608B Signal Studio for custom modulation.

SystemVue supports the simulation of candidate 5G waveforms as well as custom OFDM

and I/Q waveforms that can be used to evaluate custom or proprietary algorithms. Although
SystemVue is primarily used for system design and algorithm development, it can also
download waveforms to the M8190A AWG.

Signal Studio for custom modulation has a parameterized graphical user interface (GUI) that
makes it easy to create custom FBMC, UFMC, GFDM, F-OFDM, I/Q, and OFDM waveforms.
Custom OFDM and custom I/Q VSA setup files can be saved for EVM testing using a variety
of Keysight signal analyzers and oscilloscopes. Signal Studio can also be used to generate
waveforms for the M8190A AWG and download waveforms to a trio of vector signal generators:
the microwave E8267D PSG and the RF N5182B MXG and N5172B EXG.

89600 VSA software provides custom I/Q (option BHK) and custom OFDM (option BHF)
demodulation analysis. As noted above, it can be used within SystemVue, will run inside a
variety of Keysight signal analyzers and oscilloscopes, and can be run on a standalone PC
connected to a variety of Keysight instruments. Signal Studio for custom modulation works with
89600/BHK for custom I/Q modulation analysis and 89600/BHF for custom OFDM analysis as
companions for signal generation and analysis.
10 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

The hardware elements

The M8190A is a two-channel precision AWG that can operate with 14-bit resolution at
up to 8 GSa/s or 12-bit resolution up to 12 GSa/s. It has 5 GHz of analog bandwidth and
2 GSa of memory per channel.

The AWG is used to drive an E8267D PSG vector signal generator equipped with
wideband differential external I/Q inputs (option 016). The wideband inputs can produce
modulation bandwidths of up to 2 GHz on carrier signals up to 44 GHz. For signal
generation at millimeter-wave frequencies, upconverters are available from Keysight
(58-64 GHz with N5152A) and Virginia Diodes Inc. (60 GHz to 90 GHz). MXG microwave
analog signal generators (N5183B) are used to provide the LOs for the millimeter-wave
upconverters.

A Keysight N9040B UXA or N9030B PXA signal analyzer is used for spectrum analysis
and demodulation analysis. A Keysight DSOS804A Infiniium S-Series oscilloscope with
89600 VSA software is used for multi-gigahertz demodulation analysis at millimeter-
wave frequencies when combined with the M1971E harmonic mixer and X-Series signal
analyzer.

This is an example configuration that can be used for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave
signal generation and analysis. The best hardware configuration for a specific application
depends on the actual frequencies, bandwidths and waveforms of interest. In some
cases the recommended solution may include simplified instrument configurations and
fewer instruments.
11 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Applying the Testbed: Four Case Studies

The versatility of the testbed enables it to address a variety of likely scenarios at RF,
microwave and millimeter frequencies. These cases help illustrate the versatility of the
testbed.3

RF case study: Examining the coexistence of LTE and FBMC (< 6 GHz)
Generation of LTE and FBMC signals was accomplished using the SystemVue schematic
shown in Figure 11. The two signals were resampled and combined into a composite
waveform that was downloaded into the M8190A AWG. The output of the AWG was
analyzed using a PXA signal analyzer and the 89600 VSA software.

Re-sample and
combine waveforms
FBMC waveform

LTE waveform

Download to
M8190AAWG

Analyze with PXA and VSA SW

Figure 11. FBMC and LTE signals can be created in SystemVue and the composite waveform downloaded to the AWG.

3. One note: the technologies, waveforms, frequencies and bandwidths in these examples are used only to
demonstrate the flexibility of this testbed approach, not as a recommendation of their suitability for 5G.
12 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Figure 12 shows the resulting test signals, as measured with the PXA. Notice the sharp
out-of-band spectrum roll-off of the FBMC spectrum compared to that of the LTE
spectrum. This is due to the per-subcarrier filtering applied to the FBMC signal.

Figure 12. The out-of-band advantages of FBMC are clear when compared to LTE.

To evaluate the coexistence of LTE in the presence of FBMC, the test scenario was
modified in SystemVue to notch out some of the active subcarriers in the FBMC signal.
The LTE center frequency was then set to match the notched center frequency (Figure
13). One note: the composite LTE/FBMC waveform was produced using a single output
channel of the M8190A; it did not require two separate signal generators.

Figure 13. The LTE signal resides in the center of the notched FBMC spectrum.

The upper-right trace in Figure 13 was produced using the 89600 VSA software. It
demodulated the LTE signal and calculated an EVM of 0.6%, which indicates that the
FBMC out-of-band characteristics are having a minimal effect on the LTE signal with this
notched arrangement.
13 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

The notch width is easily modified and the LTE EVM can be evaluated as a function of
width based on the number of subcarriers and the resulting width in megahertz. Figure
14 shows a range of LTE EVM results relative to FBMC notch width. This is one example
of a what-if scenario that can be easily evaluated with the testbed.

EVM = 20.1%

LTE EVM vs. FBMC spectrum notch width

25
EVM = 2.1%

20
EVM = 0.6% EVM = 1.25%
15
LTE EVM, %

10

0
100 90 80 70 60 50

FBMC notch width (# subcarriers)

Figure 14. LTE EVM gets worse as the width of the notch decreases.

RF case study: Examining 5G candidate waveform coexistence with

3G, 4G, and PAN waveforms (< 6 GHz)
The previously described LTE and FBMC coexistence scenario is extended to include
additional candidate 5G waveforms GFDM, OFDM, UFMC, as well as legacy 3G and 4G
waveforms GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, WLAN, and ZigBee.

In this scenario, four different 5G candidate waveforms FBMC, GFDM, OFDM, UFMC and
an LTE 4G waveform are re-sampled and combined in simulation into one composite
waveform and downloaded to channel 1 on the M8190A AWG (Figure 15).

Figure 15. Candidate 5G waveforms and LTE (4G) waveform downloaded to channel 1 on the M8190A AWG
14 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Channel 2 of the M8190A AWG plays the legacy 3G, 4G, and PAN waveforms (Figure
16). Six different waveforms are re-sampled and combined (LTE, EDGE, GSM, W-CDMA,
WLAN, and ZigBee). The LTE, EDGE, GSM, and W-CDMA waveforms use model and
file-based sources in SystemVue, however the WLAN and ZigBee sources use the 89600
VSA source to read in recorded .sdf files into SystemVue. The 86900 VSA software can
be used with test equipment to capture real-world recordings (.sdf files), and those
recordings can be read into SystemVue. MATLAB code can also be co-simulated in
SystemVue, so this approach offers the flexibility of combining many different types
of signals together in simulation, and re-sampling them to combine them together to
download a composite waveform to the M8190A AWG.

Figure 16. Legacy 3G, 4G, and PAN waveforms downloaded to channel 2 on the M8190A AWG

Channel 1 of the M8190A AWG plays the candidate 5G waveforms and LTE 4G waveform.
Channel 2 of the M8190A AWG plays the legacy 3G, 4G, and PAN waveforms. These are
combined together with an external power splitter (used as a power combiner) and the
resulting combined output spectrum is shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17. Candidate 5G waveforms and legacy 3G and 4G waveforms (PAN waveforms are not shown for this
frequency span setting).
15 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

The 89600 VSA software is then used on the PXA signal analyzer to tune into each
3G, 4G, and PAN waveform to perform the demodulation and measure the EVM. The
measured EVMs are low, even though the composite waveform includes many different
types of signals.

Figure 18. Demodulation of the legacy 3G, 4G, and PAN waveforms using the 89600 VSA software
16 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Microwave case study: Wide-bandwidth signal generation

and analysis (28 GHz)
As noted earlier, the testbed can be used to generate and analyze wideband waveforms
with modulation bandwidths of up to 2 GHz at microwave frequencies. In this case, the
combination of an M8190A AWG and an E8267D PSG vector signal generator with wideband
I/Q inputs can be used to produce wideband microwave test signals up to 44 GHz.

A wideband FBMC signal was generated at 28 GHz with a 1 GHz modulation bandwidth
using Signal Studio for custom modulation. Parameters such as the number of frames,
sampling rate and oversampling rate were set using the softwares parameterized
graphical user interface (GUI). FBMC-OQAM waveform parameters such as FFT length,
guard subcarriers (upper and lower), number of multi-carrier symbols and idle interval
can also be set. The essential FBMC filter settingsK factor and filter-bank structure
can also be entered (Figure 19).

Figure 19. The Signal Studio for custom modulation GUI makes it easy to enter the complete set of FBMC parameters.
17 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

The resulting test signal is shown in Figure 20: the spectrum was centered at
28 GHz and the measurement span was 1.2 GHz, as measured with a 63 GHz Infiniium
oscilloscope.

Figure 20. Signal Studio for custom modulation simplifies creation of FBMC waveforms.

Similarly, Signal Studio for custom modulation was used to create an OFDM waveform
with ~1 GHz modulation bandwidth at 28 GHz. The GUI was used to set the essential
parameters (e.g., number of frames, etc.). In addition, resource-mapping parameters
were set for the preamble, pilot and data subcarriers, including the location and
boosting of each resource block. I/Q values were set for the preamble, modulation and
payload for pilot and data.

The resulting test signal is shown in Figure 21 in a six-trace display:

Upper left: constellation

Upper middle: EVM versus subcarrier
Upper right: Search time
Lower left: ~1 GHz wide spectrum at 28 GHz center frequency
Lower middle: error summary
Lower right: OFDM equalizer channel frequency response

Figure 21. This display from the 89600 VSA software provides multiple views of the demodulated
OFDM signal, measured with a 63 GHz Infiniium oscilloscope.
18 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Millimeter-wave case study: Wide-bandwidth single-carrier

modulation (73 GHz)
This example used a hardware configuration similar to the one shown in Figure 10.
SystemVue was used to generate a wideband waveform with a 2 GHz symbol rate, 4x
oversampling and a sample rate of 8 GSa/s. The waveform was downloaded to the
M8190A AWG and its outputs were connected to the wideband I/Q inputs of the PSG
vector signal generator. The PSG produced a signal at 6 GHz and this was translated to
73 GHz using a VDI E-band upconverter. An MXG analog signal generator provided the
LO signal for the upconverter.

For 5G applications that use bandwidths of up to 2 GHz, it is important to consider the

potential for amplitude and phase variations that can adversely affect signal quality. At
these frequencies, linear errors in amplitude and phase may be caused within the signal
chain: M8190A, PSG, cables, upconverter, cables and interconnects. These were reduced
by deriving the necessary vector corrections using the adaptive equalizer in the 89600 VSA
software. The equalizer produces a complex-valued frequency response that can be used
to minimize amplitude and phase errors. This is done by reading the frequency response
into SystemVue and using it to correct the waveform response (Figure 22).

SystemVue design software

Step 1: Download wideband 5G SC signal M8190A AWG

I Q

Step 3: Re-download wideband E8267D vector PSG

5G SC signal with complex FIR VDI Upconverter
correction tap coefficients with amplifier + filter

M1971E
WB smart mixer

Step 2: Measure equalizer

Complex
response and store to file Tap Coeffs

DSOS804A S-Series scope

Figure 22. The frequency response produced by the adaptive equalizer can be used to compensate for linear
amplitude and phase errors in the test signal.
19 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Figure 23 shows the demodulation analysis of a vector-corrected signal at 73 GHz. Note

that demodulating a 2 GHz wideband signal is typically quite difficult without adaptive
equalization due to hardware impairments across the wide bandwidth. However, in
this example the linear errors in amplitude and phase were corrected in simulation to
generate a corrected waveform that produced a low EVM without adaptive equalization.

Figure 23. The demodulation results reveal the improvements provided by error compensation.
Note: uses constellation maximum as the EVM normalization reference.
20 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

Moving Forward
The development of 5G includes an aggressive set of characteristics that will be
difficult to achieve. To help developers address the inherent challenges and quickly
respond to changes in direction, Keysights proposed testbed includes software and
hardware elements that provide the flexibility needed to explore waveforms, algorithms
and techniques. Because the testbed is based on off-the-shelf instruments and
software, it provides accurate and repeatable results in what-if simulations and actual
measurements of prototype devices.

Just as 5G is a work in progress, so is the proposed testbed. To stay abreast of the latest
developments, please contact your local Keysight representative or visit our website at
www.keysight.com/find/5G.

References
Title Publication
number
SystemVue Electronic System-Level (ESL) Design Software - Brochure 5992-0106EN
W1906BEL 5G Baseband Exploration Library - Data Sheet 5992-0218EN
Brochure: Simplify Signal Creation with Signal Studio Software - Brochure 5989-6448EN
N7608B Signal Studio for Custom Modulation - Technical Overview 5992-0048EN
89600 VSA software - Brochure 5990-6553EN
89601B/BN-AYA Vector Modulation Analysis - Technical Overview 5990-6387EN
89601B/BN-BHF Custom OFDM Modulation Analysis - Technical Overview 5990-6625EN
89601B/BN-BHK Custom I/Q Modulation Analysis - Technical Overview 5991-4221EN
M8190A Arbitrary Waveform Generator - Data Sheet 5990-7516EN
PSG Signal Generators - Data Sheet 5989-1324EN
X-Series Signal Generators - Technical Overview 5990-9957EN
N9040B UXA X-Series Signal Analyzer - Brochure 5992-0089EN
N9040B UXA X-Series Signal Analyzer - Data Sheet 5992-0090EN
N9030B PXA X-Series Signal Analyzer - Data Sheet 5992-1317EN
Infiniium S-Series Oscilloscopes - Data Sheet 5991-3904EN
21 | Keysight | Implementing a Flexible Testbed for 5G Waveform Generation and Analysis - White Paper

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From Hewlett-Packard to Agilent to Keysight China 800 810 0189
Hong Kong 800 938 693
India 1 800 11 2626
Japan 0120 (421) 345
Korea 080 769 0800
Malaysia 1 800 888 848
myKeysight
Singapore 1 800 375 8100
www.keysight.com/find/mykeysight Taiwan 0800 047 866
A personalized view into the information most relevant to you. Other AP Countries (65) 6375 8100

Keysight Infoline Europe & Middle East

www.keysight.com/find/Infoline Austria 0800 001122
Keysights insight to best in class information management. Free access to Belgium 0800 58580
your Keysight equipment company reports and e-library. Finland 0800 523252
France 0805 980333
KEYSIGHT Keysight Services Germany 0800 6270999
www.keysight.com/find/services
SERVICES Ireland 1800 832700
Our deep offering in design, test, and measurement services deploys an Israel 1 809 343051
industry-leading array of people, processes, and tools. The result? We help Italy 800 599100
you implement new technologies and engineer improved processes that Luxembourg +32 800 58580
lower costs. Netherlands 0800 0233200
Russia 8800 5009286
Three-Year Warranty Spain 800 000154
www.keysight.com/find/ThreeYearWarranty Sweden 0200 882255
Keysights committed to superior product quality and lower total cost Switzerland 0800 805353
of ownership. Keysight is the only test and measurement company with Opt. 1 (DE)
Opt. 2 (FR)
three-year warranty standard on all instruments, worldwide. And, we provide
Opt. 3 (IT)
a one-year warranty on many accessories, calibration devices, systems and
United Kingdom 0800 0260637
custom products.

Keysight Assurance Plans For other unlisted countries:

www.keysight.com/find/AssurancePlans www.keysight.com/find/contactus
Up to ten years of protection and no budgetary surprises to ensure your (BP-06-08-16)

instruments are operating to specification, so you can rely on accurate

measurements.

Keysight Channel Partners

DEKRA Certified
www.keysight.com/find/channelpartners ISO9001 Quality Management System

Get the best of both worlds: Keysights measurement expertise and product
breadth, combined with channel partner convenience. www.keysight.com/go/quality
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
DEKRA Certified ISO 9001:2015
www.keysight.com/find/5G-Insight
Quality Management System
www.keysight.com/find/solution-5Gtestbed

This information is subject to change without notice.

Keysight Technologies, 2015 - 2016
Published in USA, June 14, 2016
5992-0519EN
www.keysight.com